Picture and sound synchronizing method and system



PICTURE AND SOUND SYNCHRONIZING METHOD AND SYSTEM Filed` Nov. '7, 1949Aug. 18, 1953 J. B. FAlRBANKs 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 18, 1953 A J. B.FAlRBANKs 2,649,016

PICTURE AND SOUND SYNCHRONIZING METHOD AND SYSTEM Filed Nov. 7, 1949 3Sheets-Sheet 2 o m o @4 Wm 5.. @m i@ mm 4, nl@ E W .w & W

A118 18, 1953 J. B. FAlRBANKs 2,649,016

PICTURE AND SOUND SYNCHRONIZVING METHOD AND SYSTEM Filed Nov. '7, 1949 3Sheets-Sheet 3 @fn le ZESQ/'ZI 52 D D D .n l)\\ N e n o o n o o `n n o on n n n m u @9 D El D 1 l l\ n l 5 2 2 s s s s I. 55

n n n DDU IIDUUDEDDUDDDDUUUUDUDDUUDDDEDU Qwm UEPELDDQ,DDDDDDDDUDEIDDDEIDEIDEIDDDDDEIDD ./EQQV 3. F10/@59H35 JNVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PICTURE AND SOUND SYNCHRONIZING METHOD AND SYSTEM 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to motion picture sound equipment, andparticularly to the synchronization of one or more picture films with asound film on which the concomitant sound is reco-rded.

In the production of motion pictures, it is well-known that a scene isphotographed on one lm in a camera and the sound to accompany the sceneis photographed on a separate sound film in a sound recorder. Toproperly combine the sound and picture on a final composite print, it isnecessary that the action film be marked so as to permit the combinationthereof with the sound lm. This has been accomplished in several ways inthe past, such as by holding a slate board having clap sticks thereon infront of the motion picture camera, and in proximity to the pickupmicrophone, so that when the clap sticks are brought together, themovement thereof will be photographed, and the sound therefrom will berecorded on the sound film. Other forms of synchronization have alsobeen suggested and used in motion picture production.

The present invention, however, is directed to a synchronizing system,whereby not only a single picture camera lm may be marked to correspondwith a mark on the sound film, but a plurality of picture camerasoperating either in series or simultaneously at diierent starting times,may be individually identified on the sound ilm so that a cutter oreditor can determine what vportion of the sound track corresponds with ascene photographed with a certain camera or cameras. For instance, onec-amera may be photographing a long shot of the scene, and theconcomitant sound from the scene is being recorded. While this cameracontinues to photograph the scene, or at a later time in the scene,another camera may be started to photograph a close-up of the scene, thesound, however, being the same. With the present invention, the soundtrack lm will show the start of and identify the first camera and alsoshow the start of and identify the second camera, so that, in the eventthe cutter Wishes to intercut the close-up scene into the picturecontinuity, he may easily and accurately do so. If a third camera isalso employed in the photographing of a scene for another period duringthe photographing of the scene, the starting of and identity of thisthird camera will also be shown on the sound film. Thus, the pictureiilm, because of its being used in a certain camera, Will be providedwith a mark to indicate the particular camera photographing the scene,and the sound film will indicate whether one, two, or

three cameras are simultaneously photographing the scene and provide thenecessary synchronization or start marks thereon. In this manner,several cameras may be employed in photographing scenes, as disclosedand claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 125,997, led November"i, 1949, and the picture sequences readily combined with the soundtrack.

The principal Object of the invention, therefore, is to facilitate thesynchronizing of one or more -picture lms with a sound lm.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved synchronizingmethod of and system for producing start and identication marks onseparate picture and sound films.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method ofand system for synchronizing =a plurality of picture lms on which ascene is photographed with the sound record of the concomitant soundtherefor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedmultiple start and identication marking system for a plurality ofpicture lms anda sound film.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims, the manner of its organization and the mode of its operationwill be better understood by referring to the following description,read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, forming a parthereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the synchronizing circuit embodying theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a motion picture camera which may beused in the invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional, detailed view of the picture lm markingportion of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective, detailed View of the selective marking systemfor the sound recorder.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View of the selective marking portion forthe sound recorder, and

Fig. 6 is a composite View showing the markings on a plurality ofpicture films and the corresponding sound lm.

Referring now to the drawings, in which the same numerals identify likeelements, and referring particularly to Fig. 2, any standard type ofmotion picture camera is shown at 5 having Ia vmagazine 6, a hand rackcrank T, a meter 8, and a blimp case 9. The case 9 has an opening in thefro-nt through which a scene may be photographed in the normal manner.Mounted in the front wall of the case 5 is a glass Il which relectslight from a light source I2 through the aofi-dole photographing lensill to one edge of the picture lm, such as shown at le in Fig. 3. rEhelight source i2 may be a simple projecting lamp il, mounted in a socketiii, and connected to an energy supply over cable it, the lamp lbeinghoused in a casing 20 having a front cap member 2 l.

In camera No. l, the cap member 2i may have a single opening 23 therein,as shown in Fig. 6. On camera No. 2, another light source may beenclosed in a similar casing and have a cap 24, in which a pair ofopenings 25 are provided, while, in a camera No. 3, a cap 2l" may beused having triple openings 23, as shown in Fig. 6. In this manner,light will be reflected from the respective light sources to therespective iilms li, Sil, and 3i, and, since the light, beams from therrespective lamps are interrupted by the motion picture shutter, dotlight images will be impressed upon the frames of the respective films.As shown in Fig. 6, one camera will provide single dot images, such asshown at S2; the second camera will provide double dot images, such asshown at t3; and the third camera will provide triple dot images, suchas shown at 3d. Thus, each caineras picture film will havecharacteristic marks thereon, which will identify the film as havingbeen photographed by a certain camera.

Not only are the single, double, and triple dot images provided toidentify the camera, but the point of discontinuance of these images onthe picture lms provides a mark which will correspond with respectivemarks, on the sound iilm, as will now be described. It is well-knownthat most commercial type sound recorders employ a sound drum over whichthe film passesv to` provide it with a uniform iilm motion.. Inphotographic recording, sound modulated light is impressed upon the lmWhile on the drum.v This is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein a sound drumis ndicated by the broken line 3 5. and is shown with a sound film 3lpassingthereover. Sound modulated light may be impressed on the film ata point, such as shown at 3,3. The present invention provides the soundrecorder with a cylindrieal casting du having a base rim il i, which hasan upper circular dished surface 4,2., and: which is drilled toaccommodate a plurality of lamps, such as three, two of which are, shownat lll and d'5.

Drilled in the upper, curved surface d2 ofv the casting dii, is aplurality of groups of openings, a single opening being shown at dl, apair of openings at 58, and triple openings ated.VV Thus, if one or moreof the lamps are energized light will pass through the respectiveopenings tothe sound film 3l, and will provide thereon light line imagesin groups of one, two, or three, such as shown on film 3i at 5i, 52, and53, respectively, in Fig. 6'. When camera No. l provides a single dotpicture film image 32, a single light line i will be provided on. thesound film, and` when camera No. 2 provides a double dot picture filmimage 33, two lines 52 will be shown on the sound film, and when cameraNo. 3 provides a triple dot image a three-line image 53 will be shown onthe sound film. When only one camera is operating, only onecharacteristic identification mark will be shown on the sound hlm,While, if two or more cameras are operating, the sound film will soindicate.

As just described, the sound film will identify the particular cameraphotographing the scene from which the sound' is being recorded. Inaddition to this identification of camera and sound films, the marks onthe respective picture and sound iilms also provide synchronization orstart marks, whereby the sound nlm may be combined with any one or morepicture films photographing the scene. To describe how this isaccomplished, reference is made to the circuit in Fig. l, whereby theusual 230 volts, sixty-cycle, threephase power source is connected toterminals 55. Power is transmitted over three conductors, one of whichincludes a solenoid relay 5&3, and the other two of which include coilsdi, which are used solely to balance the line due to the insertion ofthe relay iii; in one of them. At the camera, there is provided theusual camera motor 5S, which is energized over conductors t9 when a mainstart switch dii is closed. Bridged across 'two of the conductors di?,is an action light 6l, which may be mounted on the camera to indicatethat theV camera is energized and is photographing a scene. Bridgedacross another pair of power conductors, is the primary of a transformer@t in parallel with a relay Eil, the contacts 6B' of which are normallyclosed. The secondary of transformer E33 is connected over conductors lato the swingers i''l of the relay til, while the contacts Ei-l of therelay are connected to a picture film marking lamp, such as lili. (SeeFig. 3'.)

At the sound recorder, a second relay 'il is provided, which isconnected to the swingers '525 of the relay 56', so that when relay E16is energized, the relay "lil will be immediately connected to allc-volt, sixty-cycle supply over conductors i3. rhe energization of.relay 'il will close its contacts l5, which impresses energy from asource "it on lamps ld and i3., connected' in series over conductors ld.Illhe lamp ill is; the sound film marking lamp, as shown in Fig. 5.,While the lamp *is may be mounted onI the panel ofthe recorder toindicate to theV operator thatv the lamp 411' is energized. To test. thelamps: lid. and 'i8 atY periodic intervals, a test circuit is providedfrom. the battery 'i6 over a sw-itch llt, which, whenr closed, willimpress the energy from. the battery lr6; on the lamps dit; and; i8 overconductors, 81;. Normally, the switch 81d* is open.

Also connected across a pair of power con,- ductors, is the primary of atransformer 33.', which has its secondary, over a switch v tl and arheostat 85, connected to a light E36. closedv and claimed in myco-.pending application, Serial No. 125,996, filed November 1, i949, newabandoned, isrnounted on the front of' the camera blimp in a housing toilluminate the action in the scene, and may be energized when desired byoperation of the switch Sii. Also connected' across the power lineterminals 55, are three identical circuits to the one just described,these` circuits being indicated by relays ilill .and 8,9 correspondingto relay tit,v and balancing inductances. Sii and 9i corresponding toinchictancesA 51.

To explain the operationl of the circ-uit and system,v when itr isdesired to operate a camera,

such as 5, the power switch 59, located at theA camera,v will be closed,which. will simultaneously energize the motor 53, theaction light Gli,the primaries of transformers 63 and 83, andthe relays 5t and 6d. Therelay 56.Y immediately closes its contacts and energizes relay lil.However-, relays ed and il. are time delay relays, whichy have beenadjusted to operate in a certain predetermined time` period, which maybein theV neighborhood of one second. This time period.

is required to permit the camera or cameras to get up speed. The soundrecorder has already Thek light 8d, as dis--` been brought up to speedprior to the closing of switch 59.

After the predetermined time period, the relay 'H closes its contactsand energizes the lamps 44 and i8, while, at the same instant, the relayE4 opens its contacts 68, de-energizing the lamp il, which was energizedimmediately upon the closing of the switch 59 over transformer 63,conductor E13, swingers 6l, and contacts 68. Assuming camera No. 1 isenergized, the film I6 is brought up to speed, during which time thecharacteristic dot images, such as shown at 32, will be impressed on thepicture film, since it is advanced in the direction shown by the arrow,and these dot images will continue as long as lamp I1 is energized andthe lamp will remain energized until the relay 64 opens contacts 68.However, since relays 64 and 'Il have the same delay time period, whencontacts 68 are opened, contacts 'I5 will close, which energizes lamps44 and 18 at the recorder. This action, therefore, impresses thecharacteristic light image or pattern on the sound film, such as shownat 5I in Fig. 6, and the impression of this light will be at the sameinstant that the d-ot images are discontinued on the picture film. Thus,the picture film i6 is synchronized with the sound film 31, as shown bythe broken line 92, the sound lm 31 being advanced in the directionshown by the arrow.

Now, if camera No. 2 were energized, then camera film 3S would have thecharacteristic double dot images 33, and when they were discontinued,the sound film would be impressed with images 52 and the ending andbeginning of the respective marks would indicate correspondence betweenthe iilms, as indicated by the broken line 93. Similarly, the thirdcamera would provide its characteristic identification and start marksalong with the marks on the sound film, as indicated by the broken line$4. If one of the cameras is started and the others are startedsubsequently, or if they are run independently or simultaneouslt7 in anyorder, the markings Will be applied to the respective films accordingly,Fig. 6 showing the operation of all three cameras and the respectivestart marks therefor. In this manner, the cutter or editor can selectthe particular scenes from the diiferent films which will best depictthe story, and be able to edit and cut the sound film accordingly, thusproviding a relatively rapid method of and system for accomplishing thesynchronization of one or more picture films with a sound film on whichthe concomitant sound is recorded. It will be noted that the sound filmcharacteristic identification marks continue on the sound film as longas a particular camera or cameras are photographing, so that the cameramay be identified at any point along the sound film. Although one meansof impressing particular characterized light marks on said picture andsound films has been disclosed, other forms of light sources and otherforms of marking could be employed.

I claim:

1. A picture and sound system comprising: a motion picture camera forphotographing a scene on a picture film; sound-recording means forrecording sound accompanying said scene; a light source for said camerafor recording a characteristic light image on said picture film toidentify the film from said camera; a light source in said soundrecording means for recording a characteristic light image of the sametype on film in said sound recording means in synchronism with therecording of said sound; means for energizing each of said lightsources; and control means including a normally closed time delay relaymeans operable to effect the interruption of said light source at saidcamera, that records said characteristic light image on said camerafilm, and a normally open time delay relay means operable to effect theoperation of said light source in said sound recordingmeans that recordssaid characteristic light image on said recorder film, both of saidrelay means having the same delay period and being energized uponenergization of said camera, whereby said light source at said camera isinterrupted after a predetermined time, and said light source in saidsound recording means is simultaneously rendered effective andthereafter maintained in that condition.

2.A A picture and sound system comprising: a plurality of motion picturecameras for photographing a scene on picture film; sound recording meansfor recording sound accompanying said scene; a light source for each ofsaid cameras for recording a characteristic light image on said picturefilm to identify the film from each of said cameras; a plurality oflight sources in said sound recording means for recording characteristiclight images, corresponding to those impressed upon said picture films,on film in said sound recording means in synchronism with the recordingof said sound; means for energizing each of said light sources; andcontrol means operable to effect the interruption of one of said lightsources for recording light upon one of said camera films after apredetermined length of time, and to eiiect the operation of thecorresponding light source in said recording means after saidpredetermined length of time.

3. A film identification and synchronization marking system for aplurality of picture lms in a corresponding plurality of cameras, and afilm in a sound recording means operated concurrently therewithcomprising: means providing a characteristic light image different foreach of said cameras; means for recording one of said images on each ofsaid camera films to identify the film from' each of said cameras; meansproviding a plurality of characteristic light images, each correspondingto one of said characteristic light images provided for said cameras;means for simultaneously recording any desired number of said pluralityof characteristic light images upon said film in said sound recordingmeans; and means for discontinuing the recording of a characteristiclight image upon a, camera film substantially simultaneously with theinitiating and continuing of the recording of said correspondingcharacteristic light image upon said film in said sound recording means.

4. A photographic sound system comprising: a camera; sound recordingmeans; means for impressing a light beam on the film in said camera,said light beam being delineated to identify the film from said camera;means for impressing a light beam on a lm in said recording means, saidlight beam being delineated in the same general manner as said cameralight beam; a motor for said camera; means for simultaneously energizingsaid motor and said rst-mentioned light impressing means; means fordiscontinuing the energization of said first-mentioned light impressingmeans; means for controlling the energization of said second-mentionedlight impressing means; and means for simultaneously energizing saidenergization discontinumg` means; and said energization controllingmeans.

5r A photographic sound system in accordance with claim 4, inv whichsaid energzation discontinuing means and said energization controllingmeans are time. delay. relays having substantiallythe same time period.

6. The method of identifying eachof a plu--v raiity, of camerasphotographing a scene con-currently with thev recording of soundaccompanying, said scene, which. includes: recording a differentidentifying characteristic image on the nlm in each, ofvl said camerasidentifying each of the vlmsjin said-,particular cameras; recordingcharacteristic images corresponding toy each identify'- ingcharacteristic image, respectively, on lm in a, recorder. means in,synchronism. with the re.- cording of said sound; and terminatingthesaid recording of said identifying characteristic images 81 on` said;camera. films substantially at the time of initiating and continuingsaid recording of said respective corresponding characteristic images ensaid recorder l-m.

J EREY B. FAIRBANKS.

lgegfe,felipesv QiteiijY in the le of this patent UNITE-Q 5,.-'IAIJEISrPATENTS Number Name Date 1,111,940 Robinson July 29, 1930 1,950,091-Gwens Mar. 6l, 1934 2,041,333 Schmidt June 16, 1936 2,292,957- Eieid'sMay 12, 1942 2,365,212 Oriol` Dec. 19, 1944' FOREIGN PATENTS CountryBate' 3119514 (Jvicat-Britain:I Jan. 28', 1931

